Basic Specifications of Spiral Welded Steel Pipe

Item Specification
Product Name Spiral Welded Steel Pipe / SSAW Steel Pipe
Manufacturing Process Spiral Forming + Submerged Arc Welding (SAW)
Welding Type Double Submerged Arc Welding (DSAW)
Standard API 5L, ASTM A252, AWWA C200, EN 10217, GB/T 9711
Outer Diameter 219 mm – 3500 mm (customized sizes available)
Wall Thickness 6 mm – 30 mm (depending on application and standard)
Pipe Length 6 m, 12 m, or customized length
Steel Grade Q235, Q355, ASTM A36, API 5L Grade B, X42, X52, X60, X65, X70
Pipe Type SSAW Pipe / Spiral Submerged Arc Welded Pipe
Surface Treatment Bare, Painting, 3PE, 3LPE, 3PP, FBE, Epoxy Coating
Pipe Ends Plain End, Beveled End, Customized End Preparation

How Are Spiral Welded Steel Pipes Manufactured?

Spiral welded steel pipes, also known as SSAW (Spiral Submerged Arc Welded) pipes, are manufactured through a continuous forming and welding process that converts steel coils into large-diameter pipes. Compared with longitudinal welded pipes, the spiral forming process allows manufacturers to produce pipes with a wider range of diameters using different steel coil widths.

A professional spiral welded steel pipe manufacturer typically follows a complete production process including raw material inspection, coil preparation, spiral forming, submerged arc welding, pipe expansion, inspection and coating.

An aerial view of Allland Pipes manufacturing facility and heavy-duty storage yard, showing automated pipe production workshops, gantry cranes, and neatly stacked API 5L SSAW spiral steel pipes

Double Submerged Arc Welding (DSAW)

After spiral forming, the pipe seam is welded using Submerged Arc Welding (SAW) technology.

Most high-quality SSAW pipes use double-sided submerged arc welding, including:

Internal Welding

The inside seam is welded first to provide strong penetration and structural stability.

External Welding

The outside seam is welded afterward to complete the joint and improve overall weld strength.

Spiral Welded Steel Pipe Standards and Specifications

API 5L Spiral Welded Steel Pipe

API 5L is one of the most widely used standards for steel pipelines in the oil and gas industry. It specifies requirements for welded and seamless steel pipes used in pipeline transportation systems.

Common Grades:

Grade Minimum Yield Strength Typical Application
API 5L Grade B 245 MPa General pipeline transportation
X42 290 MPa Medium-strength pipelines
X52 360 MPa Oil and gas transmission
X60 415 MPa High-pressure pipelines
X65 450 MPa Long-distance pipelines
X70 485 MPa High-strength pipeline systems

ASTM A252 Spiral Welded Steel Pipe

ASTM A252 is a standard specifically developed for welded steel pipe piles used in structural and foundation applications.

ASTM A252 Grades:

Grade Yield Strength Tensile Strength
Grade 1 205 MPa 345 MPa
Grade 2 240 MPa 414 MPa
Grade 3 310 MPa 455 MPa

AWWA C200 Spiral Welded Steel Pipe

AWWA C200 is widely used for welded steel water pipe systems.

EN 10217 Welded Steel Pipe

EN 10217 is a European standard covering welded steel pipes for pressure applications.

Grade Equivalent Grade Application
P235TR1 Carbon steel General pressure applications
P235GH High-temperature service Boiler and pressure systems
P265GH Higher strength pressure steel Industrial applications

Applications of Spiral Welded Steel Pipe

Compared with other welded steel pipes, spiral welded steel pipes are particularly suitable for applications requiring large-diameter pipelines, long-distance transportation and heavy-duty structural support.

  • Oil and Gas Transmission
  • Water Supply Pipeline
  • Structural Piling
  • Municipal Engineering

Spiral Welded Steel Pipe vs LSAW Pipe

Item SSAW Pipe LSAW Pipe
Welding Direction Spiral Longitudinal
Raw Material Steel Coil Steel Plate
Diameter Range Large Large
Production Efficiency Higher Lower
Cost Lower Higher
Application Water/Oil/Gas High-pressure pipelines

Coating Options Provided by Spiral Welded Steel Pipe Manufacturers

Anti-corrosion coating is an essential part of spiral welded steel pipe manufacturing, especially for pipes used in underground, offshore, water transmission and oil & gas pipeline projects. A professional spiral welded steel pipe manufacturer should provide various coating solutions according to project requirements, operating conditions and service environment.

Coating Type Main Advantage Typical Applications
3PE / 3LPE Excellent underground corrosion protection Oil, gas and buried pipelines
FBE Strong adhesion and chemical resistance Water and industrial pipelines
3PP High temperature resistance Offshore and high-temperature pipelines
Epoxy Coating Smooth surface and corrosion protection Water and chemical pipelines
Cement Mortar Lining Internal corrosion protection Drinking water systems

FAQ

Q1: What is a spiral welded steel pipe?

A spiral welded steel pipe, also known as an SSAW pipe, is manufactured by forming steel coils into a spiral shape and welding the helical seam through submerged arc welding (SAW) technology. It is widely used for large-diameter pipelines, including oil & gas, water transmission and structural applications.

Q2: What is the difference between SSAW and LSAW pipe?

The main difference is the welding direction and production method. SSAW pipes are produced by spiral welding steel coils, while LSAW pipes are manufactured by longitudinal welding steel plates. SSAW pipes are commonly used for large-diameter pipelines, while LSAW pipes are preferred for projects requiring higher dimensional accuracy and strength.

Q3: Are spiral welded steel pipes suitable for oil and gas pipelines?

Yes. API 5L SSAW pipes are widely used for oil and gas transmission pipelines. With proper welding control, testing and anti-corrosion coatings such as 3PE or FBE, spiral welded steel pipes can provide reliable performance for long-distance pipeline systems.